Mesothelioma: Asbestos Disease

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer. It is a rare form of
cancer that affects the protective layer of internal organs. Malignant
Mesothelioma is an asbestos related cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Many
Mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos in their work environment or in
the homes they lived in or the products they used prior to anyone knowing the
harm asbestos can cause.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral that was used for many years because
of its fire proof properties. Asbestos was used in home and industrial
construction materials including insulation and siding for homes. It was used
in consumer products such as hair dryers. Asbestos was used for anything that
needed heat insulation.

What are the symptoms
of Mesothelioma?

The symptoms of vary between Mesothelioma victims because
Mesothelioma does not only a lung cancer disease. The symptoms will depend on
what area of the body has been affected. Although the most common form s found
in the lungs of Mesothelioma patients.

Pleural Malignant
Mesothelioma, the most common form of the disease, affects the tissue
surrounding the lungs. The symptoms include shortness of breath, painful to
breathe, painful to cough, pain in the chest area and under the rib cage, lumps
in the chest area, unintended weight loss, chronic dry cough, fatigue,
unexplained fever and night sweats.

Mesothelioma of the
Tunica Vaginalis affects the tissue surrounding the testicles. The symptoms
include testicular pain, mass on the testicles and unexplained fever.

How is Mesothelioma
diagnosed?

There are a variety of tests performed to make a Malignant Mesothelioma
diagnosis. They include a biopsy, thoracoscopy, mediastinoscopy, laparoscopy, X-rays,
CT scan, PET scan, and MRI. Only your doctor can make a definitive diagnosis
based on the results of one or more of these tests.

How is Mesothelioma
treated?

Mesothelioma patients have the following treatment options
which are usually combined into a treatment plan. Mesothelioma treatment
includes chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

What is the prognosis
for a Malignant Mesothelioma victim?

The prognosis varies from patient to patient. It depends on
factors such as age, how advanced the cancer is, has it already been treated?

Malignant Mesothelioma is very rare and can have an
incubation period of 20 to 30 years or more. If you have been exposed to
asbestos and have a cluster of symptoms, see a Mesothelioma specialist for a
diagnosis.